The H&R Single Shot 195/U.S.R.A.

Retired W4 · May 21, 2023

I've always been interested in unusual and hard to find guns. With a total production of about 3300 units I would not consider the USRA pistol rare, but this is the one and only one I have seen. The number of variations are too numerous to list here, but the following article goes into the basic changes as well as Mr. Roper's involvement in the development and evolution of the gun.

USRA Single Shot Pistols - Guns of Constant Evolution - by William K. McCarter, Past President

This is #1707, which puts it right in the middle of the run of these very accurate target pistols. The pictures below show the trigger adjustment screw in front of the trigger, ejector, stock and sighting system of this example, all of which evolved through production.

red9 · May 21, 2023

Nothing wrong with the accuracy of these pistols. Note factory test target.

Bob

Retired W4 · May 21, 2023

Like Mr. McCarter said, "If you can't hit with a U.S.RA. it is not the pistol's fault."

That's a nice one, box, target and all. I see it is 1495 If you don't mind, what is the date on the target?

erikpolcrack · May 21, 2023

Really something to see! The shape of the grip frame and the lock work looks a lot like that of an old SA Sportsman I inherited.

Onomea · May 21, 2023

I find these very interesting guns. There was one in the classifieds last week, an early one (SN#201) if memory serves. Intrigued, I spent some time researching the model online.

Production began in 1928 or 1929, and Roper gets involved in 1930, I think it was. One source estimated Roper's involvement from around SN#400. You can tell, though, as an "R" will be stamped opposite the SN inside the gun, over the trigger area. Also turns out that, Roper, in addition to being one helluva pistol shot and grip designer, was an MIT grad and engineer. He was pretty much given free rein to experiment with improving the H&R 195 as much as he wished, and tweaked the design, experimenting constantly, for a decade.

A wide variety of grips/stocks styles were available as well

Very cool gun, and now on my list of guns to watch for.

.......

Red9, could you post pictures of the literature behind the target in your Model 195's box? I don't think I've seen that before...

Onomea · May 24, 2023

I was reflecting on the shooting guidance for a loose grip given in the instructions provided on the inside of the box shown in post 2:

I was thinking how different from the firm grip encouraged today. Then I realized why a loose grip made sense. It's a single shot designed for slow fire competition. The effect of any recoil is irrelevant.

The H&R Single Shot 195/U.S.R.A.

Retired W4

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